Start here to avoid information overload for your first month in Toronto as an international student

International students arriving in Toronto face a big adjustment.

Toronto boasts strong infrastructure for newcomers, but comes with a high cost of living, competitive housing market, and complex transportation system. Planning ahead can save you both time and money.

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This guide covers the essentials you'll need to get set up in your first month, from banking and housing to healthcare and transit, as an international student in Toronto.

Setting up a Canadian bank account

You will need a bank account to help you pay bills, get paid by Canadian employers (if you choose to work), and to receive money from family or friends within Canada or abroad. Setting one up typically requires a Canadian address, identification, and proof of your immigration status, such as your study permit.

Many major banks, such as TD, offer newcomer or international student banking packages. You can also review the Canadian government's guide on opening a bank account.

Once a bank account has been established, you can also transfer money to other residents with ease. Many Canadians use systems such as Interac to send and receive payments between Canadian bank accounts.

Getting a Canadian mobile phone

For immediate mobile connectivity in Canada, the quickest route is through a prepaid SIM or eSIM, which can be obtained either at the airport when you arrive—typically for a premium, or online or at other retailers.

When looking to set up a long-term phone plan, the major Canadian nationwide telecommunication network providers, and their flagship brands, are Bell, Rogers, and Telus. The same providers also offer lower-cost plans on the same network through flanker and discount brands such as Fido, Koodo, Chatr, Public Mobile, and Lucky Mobile.

For your first phone plan, you may need to set up a prepaid plan (meaning that you’ve paid for the service in advance), as postpaid Canadian phone plans typically require Canadian credit history (for postpaid plans, the provider issues you an invoice after the completion of your billing cycle).

Newcomers can consult the CanadaVisa guide for more information on Canadian mobile phone plans.

Getting a Canadian credit card

Credit card holders can charge purchases to their credit card,up to their credit limit, and pay the balance owing at a later date.

Having a credit card helps newcomers build a Canadian credit history, which in turn helps them secure future loans, rent an apartment, and access better financial products.

Without existing credit history, you will have limited options for obtaining your first Canadian credit card. You might increase your chance of success by working with a financial institution who offers a card specifically aimed at newcomers, or you could ask to start with a credit card secured through an up-front cash deposit, which can help you build credit.

Under Canadian law, there is a minimum 21-day grace period on credit card statements. If you pay your balance in full before that date, you won't owe any interest on regular purchases. Making payments on time each month is the most effective way to build credit.

The vast majority of Canadian retailers accept credit card payments through either Mastercard, Visa, or both. American Express is much less commonly accepted for payments by Canadian retailers.

Many credit cards are offered with no annual fee, while others charge an annual fee to cardholders.

Finding a place to live

You may be able to obtain accommodation directly through your post-secondary institution, which is typically referred to as “residence” or “student residence.”

International students who don’t stay in residence will typically rent housing in the form of an apartment or a single room in a shared dwelling.

The most-commonly offered apartments in Toronto are one bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

You may also find listing for three-bedroom apartments, and/or for “bachelor’s” apartments, which means that there is no bedroom separate from the main living space.

You can search for apartments on online classifieds such as Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and Rentals.ca. Many Toronto universities also maintain housing listings and residence options for students.

Housing in Ontario is subject to provincial and municipal rules. Your tenancy will be governed by Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, in addition to the terms of your written lease agreement with your landlord.

There are two types of residential rental units in Ontario: those that are rent-controlled, and those that are not subject to rent-control.

Newer buildings—those first built or occupied on or after November 15, 2018—are not rent controlled, meaning that when your lease comes up for renewal or for annual increase, there is no limit to how much your landlord can increase your rent. If at renewal, or 12 months after the last increase, your landlord asks for more rent than you can afford, you’ll need to move.

All other buildings are rent-controlled, meaning that landlords are only allowed to increase an existing tenant’s rent once annually, up to the annual limit established by the Ontario government each year. For 2026, the maximum annual increase is 2.1%. For an existing tenant who had been paying $2,100 per month, the landlord’s annual rent increase could establish the rent at no more than $2,144.10 per month for the following year. Since April 2018, most residential landlords in Ontario must use the province's standard lease form for new tenancies. Your landlord must give you a signed copy within 21 days of signing.

Ontario landlords can only require a deposit equal to one month's rent, which must be applied to your last month's rent. Damage deposits are not permitted under Ontario law.

Your landlord is responsible for keeping the unit in good shape, repairing big appliances included in the lease, and providing essential services such as heat, water, and electricity.

Some leases are inclusive of utilities, meaning you pay a flat monthly fee that covers electricity, heat, and water. In other cases, you'll need to set up your own accounts with utility providers. In Toronto, Toronto Hydro provides electricity, and Enbridge is the main natural gas provider. Water and waste are managed by the City of Toronto.

Some landlords may also require you to purchase tenant insurance (or renter’s insurance). This typically covers liability and can also protect your personal belongings against loss or damage.

If you share a kitchen or a bathroom with your landlord or with an immediate family member of your landlord, Ontario law affords you much less protection as a tenant.

Getting around in Toronto

Public transit

In addition to walking, cycling, ride shares, and taxis, you can get around Toronto using the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which operates subways, buses, and streetcars. If you need to travel beyond Toronto, GO Transit operates regional buses and trains.

For travel on the TTC, you have the option of purchasing a monthly pass allowing for unlimited trips, which is offered to full-time post-secondary students for $128.15. If you choose not to purchase a monthly pass, you would typically pay for each trip, which costs $3.30 for a two-hour journey along the TTC, inclusive of any number of transfers along all subways, buses, and streetcars.

Fair payment: Fares are most commonly paid for by tapping cards to an electronic reader when getting on a bus, or passing a waypoint towards a GO Train. You can pay by tapping a debit card or credit card, or by loading money onto a PRESTO card. When exiting the GO system, be sure to tap off using the same card so you’re not overcharged.

Driving

Ontario requires all drivers to hold a valid driving license. Whether you can use a licence from your home country, exchange it for an Ontario licence, or need to start the graduated licensing process depends on where your previous licence is from. Check the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for details.

You can rent motor vehicles in Toronto from traditional rental agencies, or through car shares such as Communauto. Liability insurance is required by law to drive motor vehicles on Ontario roads. Rental services come with their own liability coverage. If you purchase your own vehicle, you’ll need to purchase your own liability insurance.

Uber, Lyft, and taxies are typically widely available in Toronto.

Many residents of Toronto choose to get around using personal bicycles, and/or bike share services such as Bike Share Toronto. If combining a bicycle with public transit, be sure to check operator rules to understand where you can or cannot bring your bicycle with you.

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Grocery shopping

Major chains in Toronto include Loblaws, Sobeys, No Frills, Metro, FreshCo, Food Basics, and Walmart.

Smaller specialty food stores such as Navs Grocery or T&T supermarket can be good sources for international foods and ingredients.

Many major grocery chains in Toronto will price match against advertised prices of competitors. If you bring current flyers, you can sometimes get lower prices without visiting extra stores.

If grocery stores aren't easy to access in your area, delivery services such as Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats can bring groceries to your door, typically for an extra fee.

FoodHero and Too Good to Go are some apps that can help you save money on meals and groceries while helping local businesses minimize waste.

Accessing healthcare

Status as an international student does not allow you to qualify for public health coverage through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

As an international student in Ontario, you will most likely obtain your basic health coverage through your post-secondary institution. Public universities generally offer University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) coverage, while colleges and private universities offer other plans.

UHIP covers basic healthcare services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, and specialist referrals. You'll typically be enrolled automatically by your university, and premiums are charged to your student account.

If you attend a college or private institution, your school may have a different health insurance plan. Check with your school's international student office for details.

Students can typically access routine care at on-campus health clinics or local walk-in clinics. For immediate care related to serious injuries or other acute health issues, they can visit, urgent care centers, or hospital emergency rooms. Many common medical services are not covered by UHIP, for example, dentistry, optometry, and prescription drugs.

UHIP also does not cover paramedical services delivered outside hospitals, such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, occupational therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, or naturopathy.

In addition to UHIP, your post-secondary institution is likely to enroll you in an extended health coverage plan, which typically provides some level of coverage for prescription medications, dentistry, optometry, and paramedical services.

Taxes and government benefits

As an international student, you will almost certainly be considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

All temporary residents in Canada require a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work, pay taxes, and to access certain government programs and benefits.

A SIN is a nine-digit number. You can apply for a SIN online or at Service Canada centers in Ontario. You can also obtain a SIN on landing through an in-person centre located at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.

As a tax resident of Canada, you'll be legally required to file an annual tax return with the CRA if you owe taxes, or if you have to pay contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) on self-employment income in excess of $3,500. Even if you earn little or no income, filing is generally beneficial as it allows you to receive government benefits such as the GST/HST credit and the Ontario Trillium Benefit. Tax returns for individuals in Canada generally takes place from late February until the end of April for the previous year.

You can file your tax return yourself using Canadian tax software, or you can hire a professional tax preparer. Many universities also offer free tax clinics for students during tax season.

Employment

As an international student, you're typically authorized to work in Canada on your study permit, subject to restrictions. You’re only authorized if your study permit includes a condition authorizing you to work.

Off-campus work: You can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus while classes are in session. During scheduled academic breaks such as winter holidays, reading week(s), and the summer, you can work unlimited hours. The 24-hour limit is the cap for the sum total of all off-campus work, including both self-employment and any number of part-time Canadian employers.

On-campus work: If authorized to work by your study permit, you’ll be authorized to work unlimited hours on campus.

Work authorization provided by your study permit only begins after your study program has officially started.

Failure to abide by any limits on work authorization is a violation of your study permit conditions and can affect your future immigration status, including your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Remote work for employers and/or clients located outside Canada, with no financial ties to Canada, is allowed through a statutory work permit exemption under Canadian law. As this is not considered to be entering the Canadian labour market, it is not tied to your study permit, and does not count toward the 24-hour weekly limit.

Settlement supports and other resources

Beyond your university, there are a few community organizations that offer settlement services.

WoodGreen offers services to housing, healthcare, education and legal aid while COSTI Immigrant Services administers the International Student Connect (ISC) program to provide resources for the settlement needs of international students and their families across Ontario.

International students should keep in mind that support workers and peers are not experts, and that misinformation abounds. When in doubt, it’s best to consult official sources such as provincial and/or federal government agencies and/or legislation, and/or professional advisors who are licensed experts in the regulatory domains affecting immigration, tax, finance, or housing.

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